About Duro-Last

A lumberjack, carpenter, tool and die maker, Army veteran, a swimming pool installer, a pilot and a salesman. Throughout his life, Duro-Last® Roofing, Inc. Founder and Chairman of the Board John R. Burt has worn these shoes and then some. And along the way, John endured many struggles. Yet, with only an eighth grade education, he reached deep down inside for the energy, and at the age of 58, started a small business that has since grown into a multi-million-dollar conglomerate of companies.

"I have always strived to achieve the goals that I set for myself," Burt said. "Without putting your nose to the grindstone and working hard, you cannot ultimately reach those goals and enjoy success."

It was in the mid-1970s that John came up with the inspiration that would lead him to his current position. Back then, Burt (owner of Tri-City Vinyl®, Inc., a manufacturer of swimming pool liners) came to the realization: If a vinyl liner kept water inside a swimming pool, why shouldn't it keep water out, too... From that simple premise, the Duro-Last® Roofing System was created in 1978.

"We were confident that the company would be successful, because we had a product unlike any of its kind in the roofing industry," John said.

Burt's skills relate to his special vision, and his ability to seize a manufacturing opportunity. He is able to mobilize and motivate an entire organization with his enthusiasm and stamina. Approaching his 80th birthday, John remains involved with his companies full-time, and sets both the fast pace and impeccable work ethic that characterizes Duro-Last®.

In order to expand his ever-growing roofing business, John purchased in 1987 an approximate 54,500 square foot facility, which would become the manufacturing plant and offices in Grants Pass, Oregon. Then in 1991, an additional parcel of land in Jackson, Mississippi was obtained, where the Duro-Last® Jackson Plant is now located. As the business continued to thrive, Burt then opened three new manufacturing plants in one calendar year (1996). These new facilities include prefabrication operations in both Sigourney, Iowa and Grants Pass, Oregon as well as a calendering and knitting operation in Saginaw, Michigan (part of Plastatech® Engineering, Ltd.).

Through John's efforts, his family's dedication and his employees ever-present hardworking ethics, Duro-Last® has unquestionably become the pioneer and the world's largest manufacturer of custom fabricated roofing systems.

"My philosophy is this --- if I'm going to manufacture a product, that product better be the best of its kind and do what it's supposed to do," Burt stated. "That's why today, we have the highest quality roofing system in the industry and are well-known for backing that system with outstanding customer service and excellent warranties."

Duro-Last® uses factory prefabrication to provide quality-assured products by producing 80-85% of the seaming in a controlled environment. This reduces the liability of all parties involved. The architect, specifier, consultant, contractor, building owner and the manufacturer have peace-of-mind knowing that only 15-20% of the seaming is done in the field.

Duro-Last® also produces a complete line of standard and custom fabricated accessories. These accessories are made from precisely the same membrane as the roofing sheets, and are made in the factory rather than labor intensive field fabrication on the roof.

Burt's daughter, Sharon Sny along with Tom Lawler (both of whom are senior vice presidents at Duro-Last®) work diligently to make sure that the Duro-Last® Roofing System remains "the world's best roof".

"We firmly believe in standing behind our products and services," Sny said. "If there's a problem --- we promptly fix it."

Yet, there's more to the "Duro-Last®" story. Burt's related companies --- Plastatech® Engineering, Ltd., Tri-City Vinyl®, Inc., Oscoda Plastics®, Inc., Energy Solutions™ Insulation (ESI™), Inc. and TIP-TOP™ Screw Manufacturing, Inc., have also enjoyed tremendous success in their related markets.

Under the leadership of John's daughter, Kathy Allen, Plastatech® Engineering, Ltd. (located in Saginaw, Michigan) manufactures coated supported and unsupported vinyl, the lamination of PVC films and substrates, calendered PVC films, knitted substrates, gravure printing, PVC expanded suedes and single-ply laminates. These quality materials have proven their abilities in many end-use products within a wide variety of markets, including Duro-Last®'s single-ply roofing membrane, banner and billboard fabrics, RV and marine upholstery and loose-leaf binders, to name a few.

In 1997, Plastatech® Engineering was recognized by the Michigan Private 100 for being one of Michigan's fastest growing privately-owned companies.

Established in 1975, Tri-City Vinyl®, Inc. (located in Saginaw, Michigan) manufactures pool and pond liners, pool covers (flat sheet and beaded), water tubes and pillows as well as cistern liners. Over the years, Tri-City Vinyl®, Inc. has earned a reputation of excellence for fast turnaround time, a wide variety of designer patterns, precise craftsmanship and competitive pricing. All this has been accomplished under the guidance of John's son, Jack Burt.

Oscoda Plastics®, Inc. (located in Oscoda, Michigan) opened in 1993 to produce the accessories for the Duro-Last® Roofing System. Today, the manufacturing facility uses recycled plastics and vinyls to produce injected and extruded plastic parts for the single-ply roofing industry, and other uses. Oscoda Plastics®, Inc. also manufactures PROTECT-ALL® Specialty Flooring, Burt's Best Shakes® roofing shingles along with PROFLEX™ Vinyl Expansion Joints.

Energy Solutions™ Insulation (ESI™, Inc.), Inc. opened its doors in May 1999. Located in Saginaw, Michigan, ESI™ encompasses over 100,000 square feet of insulation manufacturing capability. ESI™ produces high quality polyisocyanurate insulation to be used in roofing construction.

TIP-TOP™ Screw Manufacturing, Inc. (located in Oscoda, Michigan) is John R. Burt's newest business venture. TIP-TOP™ will manufacture the screws for the Duro-Last® Roofing System.

Because of his many contributions, Burt has received numerous honors including the "Vision of Free Enterprise" Award presented by the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce in 1998 as well as recognition in 1991 as the "Entrepreneur of the Year" in Michigan. In 1987, then-Governor Jim Blanchard presented Burt with the "Businessman of the Year" Award. Duro-Last also received the "State of Michigan New Product" Award in 1986.

If there's another business idea to develop and implement, a manufacturing process to improve or a creative marketing technique to utilize, John R. Burt will be at the helm, leading the way. This is his life and his dream to be the best at everything he does and to share his success with his family, employees and friends.

John, his family members and his family of companies truly represent the "world's best" in their fields.